Month: November 2019

New Grant Announced for Organic Farmers From the USDA

*Press Release*

The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) seeks to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems through the integration of research, education, and extension activities. The purpose of this program is to fund projects that will enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic agricultural products. Priority concerns include biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics. The OREI is particularly interested in projects that emphasize research, education and outreach that assist farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning by delivering practical research-based information. Projects should plan to deliver applied production information to producers. Fieldwork must be done on certified organic land or on land in transition to organic certification, as appropriate to project goals and objectives. Refer to the USDA National Organic Program for organic production standards.

The following entities are eligible: 1. State agricultural experiment stations; 2. colleges and universities; 3. university research foundations; 4. other research institutions and organizations; 5. Federal agencies; 6. national laboratories; 7. private organizations or corporations; 8. individuals who are United States citizens or nationals; or 9. any group consisting of 2 or more of the entities described in subparagraphs (1) through (8).

Thomas Walter Akin, passed away suddenly on November 22, 2019. He was born in Buffalo, New York on August 30, 1964 to James and Kathleen (Lamphere) Akin.

Tom was a 1982 graduate of Akron Central High School. He married his wife Dorothylee (Rice ) on September 22, 1984 and they raised eight children together. He worked for many years as a salesman/driver for Perry’s Ice Cream. Tom was gifted working with his hands and enjoyed building things in his spare time. He loved his family dearly and cherished the time spent with each and every one of them.

Friends may call on Tuesday, November 26 from 3 to 7 PM at the Ross Funeral Home of Akron, LLC, 10 Eckerson Avenue., Akron, NY. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to Tanyasteam.org or Hunter’s Hope. To share memories and condolences with Tom’s family, please visit rossakron.com.